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Resources

Debates and Discussion

Use our curriculum-linked resources to run a debate or discussion in your own classroom.

2010: The Avatar Debate

Due to take place in December 2010, the bad weather forced the discussion forum to be postponed until March 2011. The event was focused around James Cameron’s epic film ‘Avatar’. Exploring the world of Pandora in this film has brought the issues facing our world sharply into focus. S5 and S6 pupils took part in a day of discussion and debate, bringing together experts from the field of conservation, biodiversity and digital film making.

Darwin: The Great Debate

Two centuries after the birth of Charles Darwin, and 150 years after the publication of his book On the Origin of Species, there is still debate about his theory of evolution.  More on the Darwin Debate >>>

Debating Scotland's Energy Choices

Energy is vital to our national well-being. The concerns surrounding energy production, energy transfer and its efficient use affects all of us and the RSE is sought to engage young people, as well as the general public through out Scotland, to debate these issues in order to better inform key decision makers. More on the Energy Choices Debate >>>>

Stem Cell Research

Stem cells have the potential to help us treat many serious diseases, but their use raises many contentious issues. More on the Stem Cell Debate>>>

Conferences

Tall Tales about Mind and Brain

The Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Conference Tall Tales about Mind and Brain aimed to unravel psychology and neuroscience topics that are seen in the popular press but are often misinterpreted; the so-called Tall Tales. The programme was designed to complement the Higher Human Biology and Psychology curricula and the themes include:

• Memory and Learning, including Intelligence
• Language and Communication
• Brain and Behaviour

A supporting Resource Pack for Teachers has been created to be used in conjunction with and/ or independently of, the conference. It provides background information and relevant websites as well as student evaluation sheets and links to the Higher Psychology and Human Biology curricula.

Thomas Telford. 250th Anniversary

These Thomas Telford Teaching Resource Materials were produced as part of the RSE's programme of events for young people and the wider public from across Scotland. The materials have been created for P6 and P7, S1 and S2 pupils. However, some teachers might want to use an activity outwith this age range for example with S3 and S4 technology students.

Students' Notes

Teachers' Notes

Curriculum

Lectures

Our annual Christmas lectures are excellent supplementary resources with which to engage students.

2010 Christmas Lecture

The RSE was delighted to welcome BBC World Affairs Correspondent Alan Little to Stranraer Academy in December 2010 to deliver the RSE Annual Christmas Lecture. A former pupil of the Academy, Alan discussed his experiences of reporting from war zones all over the world in his lecture ‘Reporting the World in an Age of Conflict’.

Curriculm for Excellence

Chemistry

In 2009 the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of Chemistry  recognised a need for exemplification of the Chemistry "experiences and outcomes" in a Curriculum for Excellence. Through this project three resource packs were created.

The resources have been designed in line with the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence but could be easily adapted for teaching elsewhere.